20 Pinot Noirs $25 and Under That Take You Around the World

Food-friendly and versatile, explore the globe from your dining room table with these value Pinot Noirs from six different countries and three states.

by Wine Enthusiast

Freshly harvested Pinot Noir grapes / Getty

Going out and seeing the world is an enriching experience. But with dark days and cold weather, do you really want to abandon your blanketed cocoon this time of year? Fortunately, Pinot Noir can allow you to travel the world without leaving your couch or breaking the bank.

These bottles will take you to Austria, California, Chile, France, Italy, New York, New Zealand and Oregon. All 20 Pinot Noirs are perfect for a meal, whether you’re serving classic comfort food or more elaborate dishes.

Esterházy 2015 Pinot Noir (Burgenland); $15, 90 points. A gentle hint of soft and mellow vanilla frames the ripe, red-cherry fruit that appears readily on the nose. The palate discloses that same mix of fruit and oak influence, wrapping fresh cherry, both tart and ripe, in a rounded, smooth cloak of smoky vanilla. Tannins are fine and gentle. This wine is both fresh and fruity, with a bright, fresh finish. —A.K.

California

Pellegrini 2014 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley); $25, 93 points. This is a heck of a value for a wine that would shine no matter its price. Juicy in exuberant red fruit along the lines of cherry, plum and pomegranate, it shares deeper undertones of concentration and richness on the midpalate, with subtle accents of rose, cardamom and dried herb. Editor’s Choice. —Virginie Boone

Leyda 2015 Cahuil Single Vineyard Pinot Noir (Leyda Valley); $22, 90 points. There’s something different and appealing about this cool-climate Pinot. For beginners, the nose is savory and meaty-smelling, but offset by fresh strawberry and plum notes. A smooth palate with a touch of buttery oak tastes of savory plum, cherry and spice. A long finish is comfortable on the fade. —M.S.

France

Allimant-Laugner 2015 Pinot Noir (Alsace); $17, 90 points. An aromatic hint of pine mixes with the red cherry notes on the nose, creating a very appetizing opening. The ultralight palate is translucent and slender, with the same leafy conifer aromas and lots and lots of red currant brightness and freshness. The light crunchy nature of this wine suggests that this is ideal for chilling. It’s a weightless, very aromatic, and ultra-light-bodied red. —A.K.

Domaine Rieflé-Landmann 2015 Bonheur Convivial Pinot Noir (Alsace); $20, 90 points. Fresh notes of crunchy red cherry have a spicy edge of pepper. The body of this slender Pinot Noir is very light, totally peppery and very appetizing. The structure is soft and very refreshing. This could also be chilled and is a fabulously light-bodied but sprightly lunch red. The finish is perfectly dry and very enlivening. —A.K.

François Baur 2015 Schlittweg Pinot Noir (Alsace); $19, 90 points. There is a wonderfully heady hint of elderberry on the nose. On the light-footed but structured palate, elderberry is joined by fresh dark-cherry hints. There is something darkly alluring about this. The elderberry lingers on the dry finish. This is lovely now but will develop. Drink now through 2023. —A.K.

New Zealand

Eradus 2015 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir (Awatere Valley); $24, 92 points. Aromas of ripe raspberry, chocolate, black olive, and green herbs all combine in this well put together wine. The palate is taut and focused, with silky tannins, mouth-watering acidity and a long herbal finish. Tightly wound, this is best sipped with food or a few years of bottle age. Drink now–2024. —Christina Pickard

The Crossings 2015 Pinot Noir (Awatere Valley); $19, 91 points. A medley of ripe raspberry, cherry, chocolate, cola, wet earth, baking spices and herbs all play together in this medium-bodied wine. Silky tannins and a slippery texture harmonize on the palate, with a final herbaceous note that lingers. Drink now–2020. —C.P.

Oregon

Apolloni 2015 L Cuvée Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley); $22, 91 points.This elegant wine appeals from the first sniff to the last lingering flavors. Vibrant in color, it tastes of rose petals, raspberries and cocoa powder. Supple and balanced, it shows impressive structure and length, with hints of citrus. Drink now through the mid-2020’s. Editor’s Choice. —Paul Gregutt

Broadley 2015 Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley); $18, 91 points. Certainly a remarkable value, this brings concentrated flavors of ripe raspberry and cherry liqueur into a big, broad and deep midpalate. The exuberance and depth of fruit is astonishing, and the balancing acidity suggests that the wine will retain its freshness through 2020 and beyond. This is one to buy by the case. Editor’s Choice. —P.G.